That’s A Mighty Big “If”
Deuteronomy 8:6-20
This was certainly an exciting time in the life of Israel. You see a long time dream of theirs was about to become a reality. The promise in which they had placed their faith was about to become a tangible reality. For years they had been looking forward to ditching their nomadic lifestyle and finally have a place they could call home. Yes, they were about to enter into the land that had been promised to them.
But before they could go in they had to have a field trip moment. You remember those field trips you used to take in school. You would be all excited for days about your class taking a trip to the zoo. You just knew it was going to be a great time for you and your classmates. So there you are, on the bus with all your friends and you pull up in front of the zoo entrance. Everyone is grabbing their stuff and excited to get off the bus an on to their wilderness experience. But before you can get off the bus the teacher stands up, quiets everyone so that he/she can… that’s right, explain the rules for the day!
That is exactly what Moses is doing. Before they can go into the Promised Land, Moses gets them together to, once again, go over the law. You see, that is what Deuteronomy means, “second law.” God is reminding them of the law “a second time” in order to reinforce His expectations for them as a nation.
I. Walk in His Ways, Deut. 8:6
I realize that Israel was God’s covenant people but I think you can make the case that God’s expectations apply to all people. I think it is clear in scripture that all people and all nations will be held accountable for observing the Lord’s commands and living in a way that glorifies and honors Him. And included in that list of ALL nations would be the Unites States of America.
Throughout my life, I have believed that America had a strong national conscience, a good sense of right and wrong. However, it seems to me today that we are losing conscience and that the line between what is right and what is wrong is quickly fading. We live in a time when what was wrong is now seen as right, and what was once right is now seen as wrong, or at times, even harmful.
As believers we know that our sense of conscience is fueled by what the scriptures teach and how God’s spirit applies that truth to your life. What I want you to understand about America is that our National Conscience has always been fueled by the teachings of Scripture.
For example, let’s take the issue of slavery. For nearly 100 years slavery existed in our country. My question, “Where did get the idea that slavery was wrong?” Our national conscience was pricked by the teachings of God’s Word regarding the dignity and the value of every human being regardless of color. So we shouldn’t be shocked that in the Declaration of Independence we read, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created (which means there must be a CREATOR) equal, that they are endowed by their Creator (not by laws but by their Creator) with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” You see, the notion of equality and liberty originated in the Heart of God.
Our founding fathers understood that our rights were unalienable, in other words they were not given to us by a man or a king, but by God Himself. We can’t take God out of the equation of our country and expect to continue to live in freedom.
II. Don’t Forget God in Your Blessings. Deut 8:7-9
I can still remember my Pappaw Lewis saying, “Don’t forget where you come from.” I think it was important to him to remind me that no matter where I go in life that I should never forget my heritage, my roots, and to always have an appreciation for those who helped shape me.
I used to love watching The Beverly Hillbillies. What made the Clampetts so special? Wealth didn’t change them. They didn’t forget who they were or where they came from. That is why it was so cute when they used their pool table for a dining room table, or when they would refer to the cement pond.
You see, I think Moses was concerned that when Israel got into the Promised Land and in their new home, living out their long awaited dream, they would distance themselves from God. You know, wealth & affluence can have a way of doing that to a person. I think that is what is behind Moses’ words in Deut 8:7-9
“For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper.” (Deuteronomy 8:7-9 ESV)
I have no doubt that Canaan was an incredible place to live. I am sure that Canaan was a land that was filled with beauty and a land that would provide their needs. When you stop and think about it, the same can be said about America. We live in a beautiful country and we live in country whose natural resources have provided well for us.
With that in mind, let’s look at Moses’ counsel to them in verse 10, “And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.” (Deuteronomy 8:10 ESV)
This is great counsel. I don’t know why we are like this but it seems that often in time of great blessing is when we tempted the most to forget God. You know, to forget that God is the source for our blessings and not us. Moses gives a great word for them to remember, but also for us to practice. When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.
It is important that we remember that “every good and perfect gift comes from above” and our response to those gifts should be, “praise to God.” We should want to give God the credit for His blessings to us. You see this is part of our role as the conscience of our country. We as the people of God should be advancing God’s praise in the public discourse by reminding our country “not to forget God.”
III. There Are Consequences to Forgetting God. Deut 8:19-20
“And if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 8:19-20 ESV)
Now I know that you might be thinking, Will, this passage was written to Israel not to us. I understand but you have to understand that God’s judgment and expectations for righteousness weren’t just reserved for Israel. The Bible clearly teaches that God will judge not just “the nation,” but rather, “The Nations.”
Psalm 110:6 states “He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.”
The question is “HOW DID ISRAEL DO?” Well it didn’t take long for Israel to slip up and forget God. Eventually they faltered in their faith and began to worship other gods. Eventually their obedience to God’s commands waned and they began to be like every other nation… living for self instead of living for God.
While I know that God was not surprised by their actions He must have been broken hearted. Israel was a nation that was birthed in the heart of God and created by the hands of God. God had protected them and provided for them in order to keep them pure as the vessel through which He would work His plan for redemption.
After the people had been in the Promised Land for a century they were about to embark on a significant time in their country’s history. They were about to build a temple in the Holy City of Jerusalem. It had been something that David had on his heart for some time but the specific plans and the responsibility for building had been passed on to Solomon.
Solomon built the temple and on the day of dedication led God’s people in a similar prayer, “God, You and You alone are God. Hear the prayers that are offered in this place. When things go wrong and we sin and when we feel the consequences of our disobedience… when there is no rain or when plagues come upon us or when there is war, even defeat in war… Lord, if Your people turn back to You and pray, would you hear their prayers?”
On the next night after Solomon offered this sentiment the Lord appeared to Solomon and said…
“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. “ (2 Chronicles 7:12-14 ESV)
When you stop and think about it… THAT IS A MIGHTY BIG “IF.” Those 2 letters are mighty powerful. Just think about it…
Perhaps one reason our country doesn’t desire to follow God is because we, as His people, are not consistent in following His ways.
Perhaps America isn’t talking to God because believers are not talking about God.
Perhaps our country doesn’t take God seriously because they have not seen us taking God seriously.
Perhaps America has forgotten God because our churches are filled with people who have forgotten the Lord!
Deuteronomy 8:6-20
This was certainly an exciting time in the life of Israel. You see a long time dream of theirs was about to become a reality. The promise in which they had placed their faith was about to become a tangible reality. For years they had been looking forward to ditching their nomadic lifestyle and finally have a place they could call home. Yes, they were about to enter into the land that had been promised to them.
But before they could go in they had to have a field trip moment. You remember those field trips you used to take in school. You would be all excited for days about your class taking a trip to the zoo. You just knew it was going to be a great time for you and your classmates. So there you are, on the bus with all your friends and you pull up in front of the zoo entrance. Everyone is grabbing their stuff and excited to get off the bus an on to their wilderness experience. But before you can get off the bus the teacher stands up, quiets everyone so that he/she can… that’s right, explain the rules for the day!
That is exactly what Moses is doing. Before they can go into the Promised Land, Moses gets them together to, once again, go over the law. You see, that is what Deuteronomy means, “second law.” God is reminding them of the law “a second time” in order to reinforce His expectations for them as a nation.
I. Walk in His Ways, Deut. 8:6
I realize that Israel was God’s covenant people but I think you can make the case that God’s expectations apply to all people. I think it is clear in scripture that all people and all nations will be held accountable for observing the Lord’s commands and living in a way that glorifies and honors Him. And included in that list of ALL nations would be the Unites States of America.
Throughout my life, I have believed that America had a strong national conscience, a good sense of right and wrong. However, it seems to me today that we are losing conscience and that the line between what is right and what is wrong is quickly fading. We live in a time when what was wrong is now seen as right, and what was once right is now seen as wrong, or at times, even harmful.
As believers we know that our sense of conscience is fueled by what the scriptures teach and how God’s spirit applies that truth to your life. What I want you to understand about America is that our National Conscience has always been fueled by the teachings of Scripture.
For example, let’s take the issue of slavery. For nearly 100 years slavery existed in our country. My question, “Where did get the idea that slavery was wrong?” Our national conscience was pricked by the teachings of God’s Word regarding the dignity and the value of every human being regardless of color. So we shouldn’t be shocked that in the Declaration of Independence we read, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created (which means there must be a CREATOR) equal, that they are endowed by their Creator (not by laws but by their Creator) with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” You see, the notion of equality and liberty originated in the Heart of God.
Our founding fathers understood that our rights were unalienable, in other words they were not given to us by a man or a king, but by God Himself. We can’t take God out of the equation of our country and expect to continue to live in freedom.
II. Don’t Forget God in Your Blessings. Deut 8:7-9
I can still remember my Pappaw Lewis saying, “Don’t forget where you come from.” I think it was important to him to remind me that no matter where I go in life that I should never forget my heritage, my roots, and to always have an appreciation for those who helped shape me.
I used to love watching The Beverly Hillbillies. What made the Clampetts so special? Wealth didn’t change them. They didn’t forget who they were or where they came from. That is why it was so cute when they used their pool table for a dining room table, or when they would refer to the cement pond.
You see, I think Moses was concerned that when Israel got into the Promised Land and in their new home, living out their long awaited dream, they would distance themselves from God. You know, wealth & affluence can have a way of doing that to a person. I think that is what is behind Moses’ words in Deut 8:7-9
“For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper.” (Deuteronomy 8:7-9 ESV)
I have no doubt that Canaan was an incredible place to live. I am sure that Canaan was a land that was filled with beauty and a land that would provide their needs. When you stop and think about it, the same can be said about America. We live in a beautiful country and we live in country whose natural resources have provided well for us.
With that in mind, let’s look at Moses’ counsel to them in verse 10, “And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.” (Deuteronomy 8:10 ESV)
This is great counsel. I don’t know why we are like this but it seems that often in time of great blessing is when we tempted the most to forget God. You know, to forget that God is the source for our blessings and not us. Moses gives a great word for them to remember, but also for us to practice. When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.
It is important that we remember that “every good and perfect gift comes from above” and our response to those gifts should be, “praise to God.” We should want to give God the credit for His blessings to us. You see this is part of our role as the conscience of our country. We as the people of God should be advancing God’s praise in the public discourse by reminding our country “not to forget God.”
III. There Are Consequences to Forgetting God. Deut 8:19-20
“And if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 8:19-20 ESV)
Now I know that you might be thinking, Will, this passage was written to Israel not to us. I understand but you have to understand that God’s judgment and expectations for righteousness weren’t just reserved for Israel. The Bible clearly teaches that God will judge not just “the nation,” but rather, “The Nations.”
Psalm 110:6 states “He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.”
The question is “HOW DID ISRAEL DO?” Well it didn’t take long for Israel to slip up and forget God. Eventually they faltered in their faith and began to worship other gods. Eventually their obedience to God’s commands waned and they began to be like every other nation… living for self instead of living for God.
While I know that God was not surprised by their actions He must have been broken hearted. Israel was a nation that was birthed in the heart of God and created by the hands of God. God had protected them and provided for them in order to keep them pure as the vessel through which He would work His plan for redemption.
After the people had been in the Promised Land for a century they were about to embark on a significant time in their country’s history. They were about to build a temple in the Holy City of Jerusalem. It had been something that David had on his heart for some time but the specific plans and the responsibility for building had been passed on to Solomon.
Solomon built the temple and on the day of dedication led God’s people in a similar prayer, “God, You and You alone are God. Hear the prayers that are offered in this place. When things go wrong and we sin and when we feel the consequences of our disobedience… when there is no rain or when plagues come upon us or when there is war, even defeat in war… Lord, if Your people turn back to You and pray, would you hear their prayers?”
On the next night after Solomon offered this sentiment the Lord appeared to Solomon and said…
“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. “ (2 Chronicles 7:12-14 ESV)
When you stop and think about it… THAT IS A MIGHTY BIG “IF.” Those 2 letters are mighty powerful. Just think about it…
Perhaps one reason our country doesn’t desire to follow God is because we, as His people, are not consistent in following His ways.
Perhaps America isn’t talking to God because believers are not talking about God.
Perhaps our country doesn’t take God seriously because they have not seen us taking God seriously.
Perhaps America has forgotten God because our churches are filled with people who have forgotten the Lord!
